Shloka 64
गदायुद्धप्रतिज्ञा — The Vow and Terms of the Mace Duel
तन्मात्रमपि तन्महां न ददाति पुरा भवान् | स कथं पृथिवीमेतां प्रददासि विशाम्पते
tanmātram api tan mahān na dadāti purā bhavān | sa kathaṁ pṛthivīm etāṁ pradadāsi viśāmpate ||
Yudhiṣṭhira disse: «Outrora, embora fosses tão grande, não me concedias nem mesmo isso — uma porção tão pequena. Ó senhor do povo, como é que hoje te dispões a dar esta terra inteira?»
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical scrutiny of sudden generosity after prior refusal: true righteousness in kingship is measured by consistent justice and fair dealing, not by dramatic offers made under changed circumstances.
Yudhiṣṭhira challenges a ruler’s reversal: earlier he would not concede even a tiny share, yet now he proposes granting the whole earth. The question exposes the moral and political tension behind such a change of stance.